Telecom
Stakeholders Worry Over Possible Dominance of Starlink on Nigeria’s ISPs Market
Contrary to popular opinion, stakeholders in the Nigerian telecommunications industry have expressed their worries over the possible dominance of Starlink in Nigeria’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs) market.
They expressed their views at the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum third edition (TSSF 3.0) organised by Business Remarks themed “Starlink: A Threat or Prospect to the Sustainability of Nigeria ISPs, MNOs and Infracos held in Lagos.
Acknowledging the fact that the emergence of Starlink has re-introduced satellite internet technology to the market space, Nigeria ICT stakeholders however noted that the telecoms regulator needs to address the business model to protect local players and create healthy competition.
Recall, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink announced its availability in Nigeria, months after it signed an agreement with the Nigerian government to bring in its satellite-based internet coverage, thereby, making Nigeria the first African country to use satellite internet and 46th in the world.
The public believes that the introduction of Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink will widen competition in the Nigerian internet market while disrupting the internet market.
Starlink was included alongside 37 other Internet Service Providers, increasing the number of ISPs issued licenses to operate in Nigeria to 255 as of September 2022, up from the 187 reported in December 2021.
Speaking at TSSF 3.0, eStream Network Chief Executive Officer, Muyiwa Ogungboye who was ably represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Martins Akingba stated that Starlink can be a threat to the local ISPs if the gaps found with the solutions are treated.
According to him, if the objective of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with Starlink’s introduction is to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and rural areas in the country, this solution will not serve the purpose.
Stating that Starlink is not designed for the Nigerian rural market, Akingba highlighted pricing and lack of local and after-sales support as part of the reasons.
Furthermore, he said ISPs served both the retail and the enterprise markets. In his words “A lot of our enterprise market is already considering the solution but security is a major concern because they do not have an idea of how the traffic is being routed.
“As an ISPs local player, the advent of Starlink makes us question if the regulator is really careful of the investments made by players in this industry, millions of naira have already been invested in infrastructures even in the underserved areas,” he asked.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Pan African Towers, Azeez Amida who was represented by the General Counsel, Babatunde Olaniyan said Starlink might both be a threat and a prospect but the wide adoption of the 5G network in Nigeria will pose a greater challenge to the solution.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of VDT Communications, Mr Biodun Omoniyi encouraged local players not to see the solution as a threat because Starlink is a leo-satellite, not too far fetch from the satellite technology.
He posited that as a disruptor, local players need to identify the gaps and fix them to have an edge over the solution.
“There will definitely be some adjustment in the market, and not a case of the winner takes all kind of situation. Some people will take up the solution, some will continue to rely on their mobile devices for internet access and others will be for fixed wireless access. If this happens, the consumers are provided with alternatives.” Omoniyi noted.
Although, he said being the first to launch is not really a big thing but is the industry, players and citizens are protected. Is the data accessible to the regulators, how do we do KYCs, and can the rural dwellers afford it, questions such as these need to be asked following the solution emergence in the Nigerian space.
Ominiyi charged the regulators to licence both the sellers, agents and providers to create a better ecosystem while encouraging operators to address their business models (pricing, positioning and support) to stay afloat and be profitable in the market.
Mr Lanre Olanrewaju, Chief Executive Officer, Equinoxcore Technology, spoke on the challenges subscribers are facing such as loss of money, falling victim to fraud, poor signal quality due to poor installation, data loss, and irregularity in the cost of gadgets.
According to him, the lack of physical office and after-sales support is a major concern for users and this challenge will continue to persist if there are no proper regulations around this.
Lanre noted that the disruptive agenda might not be achieved. On contribution to the economy, he asked if the organisation pays VAT.
Expressing his concern, the Head of Operations, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbolahan Awonuga said the licenses given to Starlink might lead to the extinction of ISPs and also the domination of the market space if not checkmate.
Awonuga urged NCC to create a level playing field for operators bringing to remembrance the extinction of CDMA in the Nigerian Telecoms market. He also make case for affordable internet service for consumers.
In addition, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ACTON), Mr Ajibola Olude stated that the regulatory safety might be weak, once there is no balancing game.
He also urged NCC to create guidelines to safeguard local players, edges on the value chain such as generating employment opportunities and restrictions in the rural areas.
On her part in her welcome address, the Convener, Bukola Olanrewaju who also doubles as the Managing Editor of Business Remarks stressed that given the internet’s increasingly important role as a communication tool, internet connectivity has become a vital component of daily life, and many nations have embarked on ambitious projects to expand and improve access to the internet.
“It is believed that the use of satellite technology in Nigeria dates back to the military era and also a known fact that satellites have played a fundamental role in providing connectivity. In the last few years, the space industry has seen a rapid increase in satellite launches.
“Although Nigeria is regarded as Africa’s fastest-growing telecommunications market, its broadband penetration is largely dependent on fibre connectivity,” she said.
She recalled that at the first edition of the telecoms sector Sustainability Forum, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) noted that as a result of the challenges militating against ISPs, deliberate policies and regulations are being looked at in the Commission in ensuring that ISPs and other smaller players in the industry thrive.
Olanrewaju stated further that it is on this basis that stakeholders and experts were assembled to dissect this edition’s theme.
Osa Director, Lagos-based lawyer and veteran journalist, has asked a federal high court to dissolve the board of MTN Nigeria, accusing the telecom giant of industry capture, undue dominance and influence peddling.
Osa Director, Lagos-based lawyer and veteran journalist,
In suit No. FHC/L/CS/1413/24 filed at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, Osa, via an originating summons, is seeking the court to dissolve the board of MTN.
He is accusing the telecommunications company of industry capture, undue dominance and influence peddling with the way and manner it cleverly filled its board with men and women with regulatory agency experience and reach.
“The board of MTN being occupied by individuals who have a history of regulatory oversight, taxation authority and pensions will undermine the integrity of our various institutions and create room for influence peddling and regulatory capture, he averred in his affidavit.
According to the pro democracy activist and author of Suicide Journalism, he is compelled to file the suit as a corporate governance expert and for his commitment to ensuring fair play and equal opportunities for all the players in the telecommunications sector.
In the process filed at the court, Osa is seeking the court to dissolve the board of MTN because it deliberately populated it with persons that have industry regulatory experience in the telecommunications and auxiliary sector.
For example, he argued that Engineer Ernest Ndukwe, who is the current chairman of the MTN board, was the pioneer Executive Vice Chairman of the National Communication Commission (NCC) which was a licensor and chief regulator of MTN.
Also, Mrs Ifueko Omogui Okauro, another director on the board of MTN, was the pioneer Chief Executive of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) between 2004 and 2012.
During the said period, MTN was found guilty of engaging in tax evasion to the tune of $ 72.5 million.
Mrs Omobola Johnson, pioneer minister of Communication Technology, is a board member of MTN.
The ministry is responsible for performing oversight functions over MTN.
Similarly, Alhaji Mohammad K. Ahmad, pioneer Director General and Chief Executive of National Pension Commission (Pencom), completes the circle of persons with regulatory agency experience who are on the board of MTN.
Such a constituted board gives undue dominance and advantage to MTN. Indeed, it amounts to influence peddling and industry capture.
Therefore, the relief sought by the Plaintiff is a declaration that the appointments of the affected officers to the board of MTN contravenes universally acceptable corporate governance practices.
Therefore, the court should grant an order nullifying their appointments. A perpetual injunction restraining the affected persons, their servants, agents and or privies from either further appointing or accepting any such appointment.
The Plaintiff is also requesting the court to mandate the affected persons to refund benefits, monetary or otherwise, already received by them by their appointments.
A cost of Fifty Million Naira is demanded to be awarded against the defendants.
The matter came for hearing on Tuesday, 11th March 2025 and has elicited the interest and attention of many Nigerians interested in corporate governance.
The Plaintiff’s lead counsel is a pro democracy activist, Prince Ademola Adewale, while MTN is represented by Fabian Ajogwu, SAN. The matter is before Justice Dipeolu.
Hayatu Hadejia and Seltrix Limited have responded to the lawsuit filed against them by Abubakar Funtua, son of the late business mogul Isa Funtua, over the ownership of 9Mobile, telecom firm.
As per report by Premium Times, Funtua filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the ownership and control of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Limited, which operates under the brand name 9Mobile.
Among other defendants, he sued Theophilus Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff, along with his company, LH Telecommunication Limited.
Others joined in the suit are Seltrix Limited (named as the 1st defendant), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Hadejia, Teleology Nigeria Limited, and Mohammed Edewor, a director at Teleology Nigeria Limited.
The plaintiff asked the court to declare he is the beneficial owner of the 43 million ordinary shares held in trust for him by the 1st defendant, Seltrix Limited, in the capital of the 3rd defendant, Teleology Nigeria Limited.
Another prayer sought by the plaintiff is a declaration that the acquisition of the 43million ordinary shares purportedly transferred or surrendered to the 3rd defendant (Teleology Nigeria Limited) in breach of the 1st defendant (Seltrix Limited)’s duty as trustee of the plaintiff and in contravention of Clause 48 of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1st defendant (Seltrix Limited) is null, void and of no effect.
“That the purported registration of the transfer by way of surrender/gift of 43,000,000 ordinary shares held by 1st defendant (Seltrix Limited) in the capital of the 3rd defendant (Teleology Nigeria Limited) is unlawful, null and void,” the plaintiff stated.
But in a counter-affidavit sworn to and filed on behalf of Seltrix Limited, Hadejia described the plaintiff’s application as a reckless abuse of the court process.
He urged the court to dismiss the application and award substantial costs against the plaintiff.
Challenging Funtua, he demanded concrete evidence of any trusteeship arrangement involving him or Seltrix Limited concerning the alleged N43 million ordinary shares in the capital of the third defendant, Teleology Nigeria Limited, or any matter related to the suit.
Hadejia stated that the plaintiff’s motion, dated 27 January but filed on 28 January, was a fabrication designed to mislead the court.
Hadejia also denied holding in trust the controversial N43 million ordinary shares of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services (EMTS)—the holder and operator of the 9Mobile telecommunications licence—on behalf of Mr Funtua.
Similarly, Teleology Nigeria Limited, Mr Edewor, Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited, LH Telecommunication Limited), and Mr Danjuma filed a joint notice of preliminary objection calling on the court to throw out the suit.
They sought an order dismissing the suit for lack of jurisdiction and another order declaring that the plaintiff’s action constituted an abuse of court process.
Credit: Premium Times
Zoho Corporation, a global technology company, today announced the launch of Projects Plus, a flexible, collaborative new platform providing data and intelligence-driven project management for mid-sized and large organisations.
Through native integration of four key Zoho applications—Projects, WorkDrive, Analytics, and Sprints—Projects Plus enables asynchronous collaboration, seamless file management, real-time business intelligence, and Agile or Waterfall workflows.
Zoho Projects has seen rapid growth, doubling its revenue in 2024, with 55% of new users migrating from Microsoft Projects and JIRA.
Projects Plus builds on this success by focussing on better data democratisation, AI-powered insights, hybrid project management, and collaborative work management.
As 18% of enterprise customers deployed both Zoho Projects and Zoho Analytics, Projects Plus directly addresses these needs by consolidating the two, and more, into a singular, efficient solution.
“The surge in digitalisation across the nation and the hybrid work culture have necessitated project management tools to be well ingrained in the overall software architecture of an organisation. With Projects Plus, which can be easily customised and integrated with other apps, we have brought together key tools like analytics, file management and collaboration, and the option to use blended project management methodologies, creating a value-packed offering not yet available in the market.
“Furthermore, Projects Plus synthesises the latest AI-driven tools, data-first analytics, and privacy-focused protections into software that anticipates the evolving needs of international enterprise organisations, expanding Zoho’s global reach,” said Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head, Zoho Nigeria.
Business Intelligence Leading to Project Democratisation
The shift toward Data-Driven Project Management (DDPM) is transforming how organisations make decisions. Instead of relying on intuition, businesses can now leverage real-time data and analytics to drive efficiency. Projects Plus captures insights across multiple dimensions—including time tracking, budgeting, task completion, and deliverability metrics—helping teams make smarter, data-backed decisions.
Predictive analysis plays a crucial role in this approach, using historical data to forecast risks, estimate project timelines, and anticipate resource needs. By analysing past trends, businesses can proactively plan and mitigate risks before they impact project success. Progress tracking has also evolved beyond traditional static tools like Gantt charts. With real-time dashboards, project managers now have dynamic, up-to-date insights that provide a comprehensive view of project status, allowing them to identify and address bottlenecks as they arise.
Additionally, quality control analytics ensure that every stage of a project meets predefined standards. By continuously monitoring data related to project deliverables, businesses can uphold high-quality outcomes, reducing errors and inefficiencies throughout the project lifecycle. With these enhanced analytical capabilities, Projects Plus enables organisations to shift from reactive project management to a more strategic, data-driven approach that improves execution and results.
Projects Plus integrates Zia, Zoho’s AI engine, to automate complex data analysis and provide predictive insights, helping project managers focus on strategic leadership. By analysing project performance data, businesses can identify inefficiencies and optimise processes, streamlining workflows to improve productivity. AI-powered insights also enable smarter resource allocation by identifying where resources are being underutilised or overburdened. This ensures that the right people are assigned to the right tasks, maximising efficiency across teams.
Forecasting and planning are also significantly enhanced through AI-driven analysis. With more accurate predictions about project timelines, costs, and potential risks, organisations can make proactive adjustments to avoid delays and cost overruns. This results in better project outcomes, improved resource management, and higher overall efficiency.
Pricing and Availability
Projects Plus is available immediately and priced at NGN7200 per user each month, when billed annually—27% lower than combining Projects, Sprints, Workdrive and Analytics when purchased separately. For regional pricing, go to https://www.zoho.com/projectsplus/
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